luns, 24 de marzo de 2014

CAMPAÑA DE SOLIDARIEDADE CON ESCOCIA / SOLIDARITY WITH SCOTLAND

A few months ago, a friend in
the USA asked what she could do to help the cause of Scottish independence.
"Nothing much," was my reply, before going on to explain that this is
a debate that has to be held within Scotland. However that is not the view of
the UK Government, despite Cameron's protestations that he cannae debate Alex
Salmond because he doesn't have a vote in September. But it turns out that
there is something she can do after all.

In January, the Sunday Herald
published the news that the UK Foreign Office is heading a campaign to enlist
support for Better Together in foreign countries. Wee Wullie Hague wants to
hear from you if you have bad things to say about Scottish independence.
According to the Herald, the Foreign Office has contacted the governments of
China, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the 28 members of the EU in a
desperate search for viagra to bolster the flaccid Project Fear's

The Foreign Office has set up
a "Devolution Unit" to co-ordinate their campaign. UK Embassies, High
Commissions, and Consulates around the globe have received instructions to pass
on any communications from individuals, organisations and businesses about
Scottish independence. However, since of course the civil service is supposed
to be politically neutral, the UK Government can't come out and admit openly
what you know, I know and the dug knows they're up to. They must maintain a
veneer of neutrality.

But two can play at that
gemme. So if you are a Scot abroad, or a citizen of another country who
sympathises with Scottish independence, write a formal letter to the UK Embassy
or High Commission in your country. What you tell them is of course up to you,
but something along the lines of expressing your disgust that the British
Government is actively seeking foreign intervention in order to prevent
Scottish independence wouldn't go amiss. And there was you as a person in furren
pairts extolling the Mother of Parliaments and the rigorously democratic system
in the UK.

You could point out to them
that it's now impossible for you to present the UK as a model to follow, when
its government is engaging in underhand tactics to influence a democratic
debate, and these tactics are creating significant and lasting damage to the
UK's image and standing in your country. Make sure you point out that you have
sent a copy of your letter to your member of Parliament, senator, congressman or
diputado, asking them whether they support your view that Scotland should be
allowed to debate its future without foreign interference, and requesting that
they condemn the actions of the UK Government.

However since the UK
Government is actively seeking the opinions of foreign citizens and foreign
residents, it is only right and proper that you give them your opinion too.
Tell them why you think Scottish independence is good for Scotland, good for
the rest of the UK and will likewise be good for your country. If you can, get
as many people as possible to sign your letter before posting it off to the
British Embassy or High Commission. Even better, if you are a member of a club,
group, or association, speak to other members and get their consent to send a letter
on official headed notepaper.

If you are a business person,
a letter on company headed notepaper saying that you believe that an
independent Scotland would be a better investment opportunity for your company
would be just fine and dandy.

If David Cameron can use UK
diplomatic staff to engage in politicking, then so can we. This is not a
campaign organised or inspired by the Scottish Government, the SNP, or Yes
Scotland. It will be co-ordinated by me, Paul Kavanagh, and Pilar Fernandez
from Galicia. We are not members of the SNP or any other political party
whether in Scotland or elsewhere, and we were not put up to this by Alicsammin.
We are doing this on our own initiative and no one is paying us to do it.
Though if this wee campaign takes off, that probably won't stop the UK media
from claiming otherwise.

We will collate all the
replies, and will publish the anonymised statistics closer to the vote. We
would also like to publish extracts from selected letters. If you do not want
your name, or the name of your company or organisation, to be published, please
let me know in the email. Scots in Scotland will then know that we do have
friends and allies abroad, and with a bit of luck, the negative responses received
by Cameron and Hague's "Devolution Unit" will be swamped by the
positive ones.

Compostelan, Galician, nationalist and internationalist. Married to a wonderful Scotsman, I'm committed to Scotland and the Yes Scotland , and of course to my Country Galiza. I'm a Master Reiki and naturopath and occasionally I collaborate giving my opinion in media. I have an commitment with the universe. Everything can be improved, starting with myself .... and I'm in it